Check This Out: Super 8

Generally, I have one "Excellent Read" or "Check This Out" each month. However, I'm going to bend the rules, because this is my blog and I have the right to bend them all I want. I have several segments that make up "Caponomics" and it's a passage to what I think and why I think it. Another reason why I'm bending the rules is because I went to see the Steven Spielberg produced and J.J. Abrams directed film, "Super 8," today and it was an excellent film. This film brings back the essence of a summer film that doesn't have to do with a redundant plot and a one-dimensional cast, but more so characters and a plot that gives the movie such a wonderful flow.

The movie is set in a fictional town in Ohio during the summer of 1979. A few months earlier, Joe Lamb (played by Joel Courtney) tragically loses his mother in an accident and his father, a deputy sheriff, has become really bitter about the event, Louis Dainard (whom she covered for since he was too drunk to go to work), and life in general. Joe is helping a friend, Charles Kaznyk, of whom he knew since kindergarten, on a film he was creating. The film is called "The Case" and is a zombie thriller. Also helping with the film including friends such as Carey (the kid with braces who likes to cause explosions), Martin (with the glasses), and Preston (also with dark hair). Charles has convinced Alice Dainard, played by Elle Fanning (Dakota Fanning's sister), to play the female role in his film that he wants to submit to the film festival.

While filming, a train comes by. While they believe that the train is going to help make for a better movie, a man who turns out being their biology teacher drives onto the train tracks and causes the train to explode. This causes for a massive explosion of an air force train and from there, all hell breaks loose. The town is brought to its knees and the creature that is released (what ever it is) must be stopped.

"Super 8" brings such a vibe that came from such great films of the past and at the same time, stands on its own for being great as its own picture. The explosions are just so believable and come when you least expect it and at the same time, captures 1979 just right, just as Stephen King has time and time again been able to capture the late 1950's and early 1960's. Speaking of which, this film reminds me a lot about the structure of "Stand By Me" and "IT" in the way that it's about a group of good friends faced with a really huge situation. The film is classified as science fiction, but I feel it could be science fiction and thriller, but regardless, it was enjoyable, and that's what counts.

The characters in this film were just very interesting. You had the likable protagonist (Joe), the likable love interest (Alice), the narrow-minded friend (Charles), the comic relief (Carey and the guy in the film shop), and adults that round off the cast (Joe and Alice's dads and several of the others). "Super 8" also injects humor and humorous characters that give the movie that extra boost. It's that good and it's something that anyone will have a good time watching.

I will not go forth with details, but you should definitely stay for the end credits. There is footage that is definitely worth watching and you will have a good time watching it. Well, the Summer of 2011 in film has finally begun and "Super 8" has raised the bar... really, really, really high. It's more than just a popcorn flick. It's got a ton of substance and something much stronger than many popcorn flicks will ever be. This here is a strong footprint into this generation of film, complete with the essence of many good films before it. Definitely check this out, or your list of "good films to see this summer" will remain incomplete.